Category: Industry
Airline passengers prefers more self-service: IATA
Nov 20, 2007 (LBO) – Airline passengers increasingly prefer to do their own ticketing and checking in at airports, according to a global survey by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The preference for self-service was revealed in IATA’s annual Corporate Air Travel Survey of over 10,000 active travellers, which shows passengers are demanding more […]
Investment Grade
Nov 20, 2007 (LBO) – Senkadagala Finance (SF) has seen slower lending and faster growth in higher purchase loans, Fitch Ratings Lanka said, confirming the finance company’s ‘BBB+(lka) investment grade rating. . “The rating reflects SF’s strong profitability and comfortable capitalisation as well as its medium sized asset base and limited revenue and funding diversity,” […]
Most Preferred
Nov 20, 2007 (LBO) – A Sri Lanka government panel has decided to start negotiations with the front runner for a new container terminal in Colombo with a Port of Singapore Authority and Aitken Spence bid being hot favourites to win the deal, officials said. The cabinet appointed negotiating committee (CANC), which made its decision […]
Tele Rating
Nov 19, 2007 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings has confirmed Sri Lanka Telecom’s BB- rating with a negative outlook and its AAA (lka) national rating with a stable outlook, the agency said Monday. “SLT’s ratings reflect the company’s strong positive free cash flow generation, its strong and improving financial profile and entrenched market position,” the rating […]
Lease Rate
Nov 19, 2007 (LBO) – Fitch Ratings Lanka said Friday it has confirmed the ‘BB+(lka)’ National Long-term rating of Seylan Merchant Leasing Limited (SML). The Outlook on the rating is Stable. “SML’s rating reflects its modest financial profile, short operating history and limited revenue diversity,” Fitch Ratings said. “The rating also factors in the implied […]
Sri Lanka in trouble against Aussies
HOBART, Australia, Nov 19, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka hit early trouble in their chase for an improbable 507 runs to win the second cricket Test and square the series with Australia at Bellerive Oval on the fourth day here Monday.Jaques was chasing his third consecutive century against Sri Lanka in the series.The tourists began […]
‘s double strike gives Aussies winning scent
HOBART, Australia, Nov 19, 2007 (AFP) – Brett Lee undermined Sri Lanka’s hopes of chasing down a history-making 507 runs against Australia in the second cricket Test with two crucial wickets late on the fourth day here Monday.The pace spearhead lured Marvan Atapattu into a trap for his favoured hook shot and then bowled first-innings […]
Fashion Queen
Nov 19, 2007 (LBO) – British fashion queen Jane Shepherdson is planning a new venture, the former Topshop brand director said on a visit to Sri Lanka, which is fast becoming a centre for high-end apparel manufacture. “I™m planning to start a new business soon, that is all I can say, she told LBO. Shepherdson […]
Lite Ceiling
Nov 19, 2007 (LBO) – The piercing of the sovereign ceiling by a Sri Lankan telco has raised hopes of better credit ratings for the country’s top companies, which have been saddled with junk ratings due the parlous state of the government’s own finances. Last week, S&P upgraded the credit rating of Sri Lanka Telecom […]
Sri Lanka all out for 246 in second Test
HOBART, Australia, Nov 18, 2007 (AFP) – Sri Lanka were all out for 246 in reply to Australia’s first innings 542 for five declared late on the third day of the second cricket Test at Bellerive Oval here Sunday. Even though Australia held a 296-run lead on the first innings, skipper Ricky Ponting decided to […]
‘s mixed feelings after Test hundred
HOBART, Australia, Nov 18, 2007 (AFP) – Skipper Mahela Jayawardene produced one of his great fighting innings for his first century against Australia but has mixed feelings after another poor Sri Lankan batting display here Sunday.The gifted 30-year-old right-hander defied the Australian bowlers to post a resilient 104 as Sri Lanka crumbled to be all […]
Smoke Policy
Nov 18, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka would tighten environmental protection regulations next year with vehicle emissions being a key target of the authorities, officials said. Sri Lanka also started to heavily subsidize fuel from 2004 sending the wrong price signals to the economy. Earlier this week the government launched a vehicle emission testing program […]